Attracting New Members.

[villagefarang]

There seems to be a constant influx of new residents to the Rai, but few of them end up contributing to our sometimes contentious little family. At any given time, on any given day, there are many more 'guests' reading our forum than there are 'members'.

There are some who divide residents into pre-BigC, post-BigC. In a couple of years there may be a distinction made between pre-Central Plaza, post-Central Plaza, who knows. The point is, there is room enough to provide interesting content for all.

Clearly we come to these pages to relate with other farangs. As our only running poll points out, we clearly don't all live next door to each other. Finding Thais is hardly an issue. Just step out the door and talk with your neighbors or your extended family of in laws, if you are married. There are plenty of Thai organizations to join if one is so inclined and is not bothered by language differences. Finding farang companionship is not always so easy, especially early on.

Relative newbies can be more helpful than they might think by providing more up to date information on things like renting or hotels as they are perhaps still using those facilities. Having never rented or stayed in hotels in town, someone like me is of little use in answering questions about such things. That is just an example.

It shouldn't be so embarrassing to admit to being a member of TV, in polite society. I for one would like to see more new blood contributing to the Chiang Rai Forum. As I said earlier, there is room for a larger, more diverse family here on these pages. I'm just not sure how we reach out to them.

For those who are interested in meeting others, I was considering a topic called 'Introduce Yourself' unless someone can come up with a less mundane title. Some will no doubt say I'm trying to turn this into a dating forum and things are perfect the way they are. My reply is that we are far from perfect and don't need to restrict or put limits on what this forum can be. There is room for all. I just wish there were more of us.

[sceadugenga]

The Chiang Rai sub forum is fairly unusual on ThaiVisa.

Our numbers hardly justify our own forum, look at the big farang packed cities of Isaan... Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Korat etc, all of which are lumped together.

Chiang Mai is a much larger city than ours and the activity of it's forum reflects this. We'll never compete with them for active contributors through sheer weight of numbers.

I'll agree, we get a lot of "one off" visitors, someone coming for a few days stay on his Golden Triangle tour, someone else wanting to know if Tachilek immigration is open on Sundays. They're not likely to make an additional contribution I'll admit.

What we need to do is keep the contributors we DO have active.

I don't think we are particularly contentious here, comparison with the bad old days when virtually every thread ended in a flame fest will show this. (Most of the best firefights were deleted, I should have saved some of my better efforts for posterity).

I started a thread a couple of years back on day trips in the region that worked quite well, I'd like to resurrect that, there's still plenty of the province I haven't seen.

I'd like to see more photos as well, everyone has a camera these days and it's not hard to post pics.

[kuifje]

Although I am here more than 20 years, I only became a member 2 weeks ago, after the riots in Bangkok.

I did read THAIVISA sometimes before, but most of the treads are ending in blabel, with members fighting about futilities.

I think a big problem is, is that many members only have a very negative point of view of the land they are guest in.

If you want to improve anything, you have to start with yourself, and try to see the positive side as well.

I for one, I would like to see more interesting treads about daily live and experiences in Thailand.

[carnac]

My gonads itch.

[villagefarang]

My gonads itch.

You sound like you would fit in nicely in some of our more colorful and entertaining threads.

[villagefarang]

1. Day trips

2. Photos

3. Daily life and experiences

4. Positive side of life.

Those suggestions are a good start. I remember a long running topic in the Isaan forum, I think. Basically a day in the life, sort of thing. People wrote about what a typical day was like for them. A lot of city folk wonder about what we get up to in the hinterlands and enjoy reading about our daily lives.

Anyone have a comment on starting an introduction thread or anything else?

[sceadugenga]

Why don't you go through the pinned topics and see what's not relevant?

I think Don's Foods has outlived it's usefulness but it's hard to get rid of sponsors. Maybe Admin would replace it with an introduction topic.

Another idea is that a group of enthusiasts (not me, not me, I'm an ideas man ) map out a few day trips that are out of the ordinary, "Unseen Thailand" stuff, with pics and directions. The road that goes west out through Doi Hang could be one, maybe the Myanmar border road from MaeSai another and the run up to WaWi from Mae Suai including a bypass to the little ethnic Chinese villages a third. (Keep away from people's poppy fields).

[PhilB]

Has anyone thought to hand out name cards?

[villagefarang]

Has anyone thought to hand out name cards?

Aren't you the funny one.

You will have to ask that guy, how it is working out for him. Or are you suggesting we get him to hand out cards for the forum?

[PhilB]

Has anyone thought to hand out name cards?

Aren't you the funny one.

You will have to ask that guy, how it is working out for him. Or are you suggesting we get him to hand out cards for the forum?

I was thinking that he could do it for us

[Jai Dee]

I think sceadugenga has some good ideas.

I must admit that I lurked for a while on the CR forum before I visited the area a few years ago... it was good to read about local attractions, day trips etc. And I took the opportunity to meet up with a couple of forum regulars whilst I was there.

You can read about itchy gonads anywhere (if you're so inclined)... but CR has some unique attractions and interests.

Who knows...? You may be able to convince those forum guests into becoming active participants.

[harrry]

I would like to see a thread of where to go.....though forum members are generally skilled in telling people where to go.

I only come to CR once or twice a month for family reasons and would like to know where I can take my partners nieces for drives. I am getting a bit sick of always ending up at Pattaya Noi.

[greasemonkey]

I'll help you.Been a frequent visitor to the Rai in the past, but certainly not a local. Often read the forum, just to find out word on the street.

Rather fond of the dozy little place, mainly coz there aint much news to speak of.

Have they finished tarmacing the road that Overbrook is on yet? hel_l it was hot walking along there.

Is there a decent internet cafe opened that doesnt expect you to take off your shoes?

Life on the wild side.

I recon most irregular contributors to the C.Rai forum, do so coz there is less chance of getting into a brawl, compared to the C.Mai forum.

[Lizard2010]

Well here goes.

I live in OZ but visit Thailand at least 1 time per year but in saying that i have been 4 times in the last 18 months.

I manly visit Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

I find Chaing Rai a very quiet place.

It could be good to retire there.

I would be interested to know about things to see and do up the Golden Triangle.

I have been to Mae Sai, Chang Seinn and the Golden Triangle seeing the Golden Budda.

I would like to see other things in time.

It will be a must to see in my list.

So fellow TV's bring it on and give us something to talk about.

[villagefarang]

I would like to see a thread of where to go.....though forum members are generally skilled in telling people where to go.

I only come to CR once or twice a month for family reasons and would like to know where I can take my partners nieces for drives. I am getting a bit sick of always ending up at Pattaya Noi.

I would of course, never presume to tell anyone where to go but I might suggest some things to see.

1. Rai Mae Fa Luang

2. Black Village

3. White temple

4. Doi Tung

5. Doi Mae Salong

6. Doi Chaang

7. Doi Wawee

8. Chiang Saen Lake

9. Phu Chi Faa

10. Pha Tang

11. Pha Dai

12. Hot springs

13. Elephant camp

14. Khun Kon Waterfall and many others.

15. Can someone else continue this I'm in need of some lunch?

[PhilB]

I would like to see a thread of where to go.....though forum members are generally skilled in telling people where to go.

I only come to CR once or twice a month for family reasons and would like to know where I can take my partners nieces for drives. I am getting a bit sick of always ending up at Pattaya Noi.

I would of course, never presume to tell anyone where to go but I might suggest some things to see.

1. Rai Mae Fa Luang

2. Black Village

3. White temple

4. Doi Tung

5. Doi Mae Salong

6. Doi Chaang

7. Doi Wawee

8. Chiang Saen Lake

9. Phu Chi Faa

10. Pha Tang

11. Pha Dai

12. Hot springs

13. Elephant camp

14. Khun Kon Waterfall and many others.

15. Can someone else continue this I'm in need of some lunch?

I would say check out the map in the pinned section. I believe all of the places you mentioned are on there.

[sceadugenga]

What we would like to do Phil, and I use the term "we" loosely here, is draw up some routes with more detailed directions and a few photos of what there is to see, for tourists and new arrivals to Chiang Rai to access.

Personally I think the job would suit the motocy crowd, maybe someone with a new bike.

Just joking, I may start looking at what format's are available.

[PhilB]

What we would like to do Phil, and I use the term "we" loosely here, is draw up some routes with more detailed directions and a few photos of what there is to see, for tourists and new arrivals to Chiang Rai to access.

Personally I think the job would suit the motocy crowd, maybe someone with a new bike.

Just joking, I may start looking at what format's are available.

If you are talking about that guy that has been scaring all of the soi dogs with all of his riding as of late. I think his head is to far in the clouds with the new mia noi.

The reason I say use the map is its directions feature. You choose a location and get written and map directions on how to get there. I guess if someone wanted to post a picture and driving directions from one central location (that a casual travler can find) that could work.

[villagefarang]

What we would like to do Phil, and I use the term "we" loosely here, is draw up some routes with more detailed directions and a few photos of what there is to see, for tourists and new arrivals to Chiang Rai to access.

Personally I think the job would suit the motocy crowd, maybe someone with a new bike.

Just joking, I may start looking at what format's are available.

If you are talking about that guy that has been scaring all of the soi dogs with all of his riding as of late. I think his head is to far in the clouds with the new mia noi.

The reason I say use the map is its directions feature. You choose a location and get written and map directions on how to get there. I guess if someone wanted to post a picture and driving directions from one central location (that a casual traveler can find) that could work.

I tried putting a few routes on my own Google Map and found that it gets cluttered pretty quickly. The 'get directions' function is very easy to use and much better than verbal directions that assume you have detailed knowledge of all the relevant landmarks.

If you tried drawing a dozen routes onto the map, all starting from the Ha Yak it would soon be a jumbled mess. I suggest locating a place on the map, locating your own start point and let the software do its job.

I guess we could also copy all the work done by JJ Barlow on his website Chiang Rai Province dot com. or better yet just visit that site when needed.

[harrry]

I tried putting a few routes on my own Google Map and found that it gets cluttered pretty quickly. The 'get directions' function is very easy to use and much better than verbal directions that assume you have detailed knowledge of all the relevant landmarks.

If you tried drawing a dozen routes onto the map, all starting from the Ha Yak it would soon be a jumbled mess. I suggest locating a place on the map, locating your own start point and let the software do its job.

I guess we could also copy all the work done by JJ Barlow on his website Chiang Rai Province dot com. or better yet just visit that site when needed.

I do not think you should copy his work at least without his permission but thanks for the heads up. I seems to be what I can use. To date the info on the hash thread seems to be the most useful I have found for details about areas.

I realise I have specific requirements as I cannot walk and use a wheelchair so value places I can reach by road. I like places where my nieces can run around though being mueng bred they are more inclined to sit. Maybe I am the only the only one who thinks trees are to be climbed.

A map by itself or computer generated routes cannot give the info one picture can or a few lines of text.

Edited June 25, 2010 by harrry

[villagefarang]

Of course I was being facetious with regard to copying some else's work. Thought his site might be useful, however. Personally I can't think of many places I frequent that are wheelchair accessible.

[sceadugenga]

I know JJ Barlow (Joel) well, he used to contribute regularly to this forum until.... well, enough said.

I'm sure that he wouldn't object to anyone using his work as a reference as long as he was acknowledged.

He can be sent a PM through ThaiVisa under his board name Joel Barlow, assuming he still uses the same email address to alert him.

I'll contact him myself and refer him to this topic.

[villagefarang]

One thing I would like to see here is more people actually contributing. People say what a wonderful resource this space is, but how many are involved in answering question and not just asking them? Even as a newcomer, when you come across something that really helped you out, you could pass on that information.

Say hello, introduce yourself, enter an existing conversation. If the majority simply read and never put anything back on the page then the worker bees are likely to become fatigued and disheartened. If you have gotten something from this forum, then give something back. Just a thought.